Russia Declares Deal to Join Trade Group (WTO)

[pampango]

Source: New York Times

A Russian negotiator announced late on Wednesday that Russia had reached an agreement with Georgia that would clear the path for Russia to join the World Trade Organization after 18 years of delay, ambivalence and frustration.

Among the central questions has been whether Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin actually wanted Russia to join. Conservatives in his inner circle have opposed accession, in part because industries may face stiffer competition. Last month, when he was asked about the costs and benefits of membership, Mr. Putin’s response was “50-50, but over all there are probably more pluses than minuses.” The announcement on Wednesday suggests that he has been convinced by the arguments of liberal economists that membership will bring long-term benefits. It also suggests that despite his bristling language, Mr. Putin has a lasting desire to integrate Russia into the world’s great power alliances, a choice that could affect the country’s long-term trajectory.

The formal announcement of a deal, if it occurs in the coming days, is likely to meet with criticism on many fronts. A popular Russian daily newspaper, Moskovsky Komsomolets, published an article on Tuesday with the headline, “World Trade of Reputation: Russia Can Join the W.T.O. in December if It Compromises Its Sovereignty.”

In the United States, the House speaker, John A. Boehner, Republican of Ohio, said last week that the White House should not support Russia’s accession ... “President Obama has made Russia’s W.T.O. membership a top priority for U.S.-Russia relations in 2011,” the official said. “Completing this negotiation will demonstrate that the U.S. and Russia continue to work together to produce results that benefit the American and Russian people.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/world/europe/russia-says-it-will-join-wto-in-deal-with-georgia.html

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Sounds about right. Conservatives in Russia and the US oppose Russia joining the WTO (national sovereignty, you know), while liberals there and here support it (multilateral organizations to resolve multilateral problems).

[dipsydoodle]

1. Its an absurdity that they're not already in it.

.

[pampango]

2. They are the largest country and economy not in it. n/t